discussion Experience with Suzuki Ciaz (2018-2020) or Honda Ballade (2017-2019)?

[MR_Y]

Hi,

Does anyone have any long term driving or ownership experience with either of these cars?
The Ciaz being the facelifted 1.5 motor and the Ballade being the 2017 facelift model (also 1.5), not the latest generation 2020/21 model.
The car would be for a daily driver role for an older person, so likely an automatic.

 

[Dees_13]

I had 2 x Suzuki Ciaz as loan cars the past 3 weeks. I can give an impression from using it for this time. I had the auto. Drives really smooth and quite light on fuel consumption. Was averaging between 14.6 - 15.8 km/l. Not the best car to rev up as the motor tends to scream quite a bit. Think it's a 4 speed auto. But for normal cruising around, its very smooth and responsive.

Build quality is decent. Lots of hard plastic. The boot on both Suzuki's I had was a bit difficult to close, especially the second one I had. You had to really slam it just to get it to close, otherwise the boot lid would literally bounce back up again. First car I drove had 20 000km and the second one had 1 400km. So not sure if that's a normal weak point of the car in terms of the boot battling to close. Cars had bluetooth, usb port infront, air vents for the rear seats. Car is really spacious, plenty of space upfront, in the rear seats as well as a huge boot. Overall I was happy with the car. Cheap plastics are a given in these entry level cars but you can live with that. Was a decent and smooth drive.

Not sure how the 2017 Ballade would be

 

[MR_Y]

I had 2 x Suzuki Ciaz as loan cars the past 3 weeks. I can give an impression from using it for this time. I had the auto. Drives really smooth and quite light on fuel consumption. Was averaging between 14.6 - 15.8 km/l. Not the best car to rev up as the motor tends to scream quite a bit. Think it's a 4 speed auto. But for normal cruising around, its very smooth and responsive.

Build quality is decent. Lots of hard plastic. The boot on both Suzuki's I had was a bit difficult to close, especially the second one I had. You had to really slam it just to get it to close, otherwise the boot lid would literally bounce back up again. First car I drove had 20 000km and the second one had 1 400km. So not sure if that's a normal weak point of the car in terms of the boot battling to close. Cars had bluetooth, usb port infront, air vents for the rear seats. Car is really spacious, plenty of space upfront, in the rear seats as well as a huge boot. Overall I was happy with the car. Cheap plastics are a given in these entry level cars but you can live with that. Was a decent and smooth drive.

Not sure how the 2017 Ballade would be

Thanks for this reply.
Did the car battle to cruise at 120kph and how was overtaking ability (in day to day driving)?

 

[Dees_13]

Thanks for this reply.
Did the car battle to cruise at 120kph and how was overtaking ability (in day to day driving)?

Driving at 120km\h was fine. Drove it to pmb and back. It does the job ok. No crazy accelerating. Overtaking you have to push down hard to make sure it drops gear. Otherwise it climbs a little slow